tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828106701665041362017-08-15T19:20:03.314-05:00Water ResourcesEditor, AFNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02498481544501879616noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-1092786057729702472017-06-27T11:21:00.000-05:002017-07-26T09:03:16.560-05:00Join us in the search for starry stonewort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Team up with other volunteers across the state to search for starry stonewort and other invasive species by participating in Starry Trek on August 5th</h3><br />Get outdoors and make a difference in the health of your area lakes this summer. Join us on Saturday, August 5, 2017, for Starry Trek, a multi-state search for starry stonewort and other invaders.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfwEdVWSgBo/WVKEho4y-2I/AAAAAAAAA5A/Xj3m3PJ6OdctlWxVMshWJ5R09FYB39UOgCLcBGAs/s1600/27563111693_79851a7b46_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pfwEdVWSgBo/WVKEho4y-2I/AAAAAAAAA5A/Xj3m3PJ6OdctlWxVMshWJ5R09FYB39UOgCLcBGAs/s200/27563111693_79851a7b46_h.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image: Starry stonewort (credit: Dave Hansen)</span></td></tr></tbody></table>Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to nine Minnesota lakes. Now, you can help search other lakes across the state to help understand its distribution in Minnesota.<br /><br />No experience or equipment is necessary to participate in Starry Trek. You’ll receive expert training on monitoring protocols and starry stonewort identification on-site when you arrive. &nbsp;You won’t have to travel far, either: Starry Trek will be held at numerous sites across the state. Check out the <a href="http://z.umn.edu/starrytrekregistration" target="_blank">registration page</a> to see the list of rendezvous sites and one near you.<br /><br />Volunteers will meet at their chosen rendezvous site, where they will be trained and sent to monitoring locations nearby to search. At the end of the day, you’ll return to your rendezvous site to report your findings.<br /><br />Wisconsinites can join too! We’re coordinating with Snapshot Day, a similar event held on the same day. <a href="https://www.wisconsinrivers.org/events/display/item/snapshot-day-5" target="_blank">Click here</a> to learn more about participating in Wisconsin.<br /><br />It’s free to participate, and registration is requested by July 28.<br /><br />Participating in Starry Trek is an easy, rewarding way to help protect your local lakes and inform ongoing research at the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). &nbsp;If you’d like to learn more about starry stonewort, its impacts and the research happening at MAISRC, you can visit <a href="https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/starry-stonewort" target="_blank">this page</a>.<br /><br />Questions can be directed to Megan Weber (<a href="mailto:mmweber@umn.edu">mmweber@umn.edu</a>) or Dan Larkin (<a href="mailto:djlarkin@umn.edu">djlarkin@umn.edu</a>).<br /><div><br /></div></div>Megan Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02331476492543151305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-13959491865288509772017-05-19T16:10:00.001-05:002017-05-25T11:45:16.562-05:00South Center Lake research station is deployed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EqibCP6F2hI/WR9cvT61imI/AAAAAAAABXE/VD-ojY2ks7QPXCYWIH81vlV4-EaywT9AQCLcB/s1600/Chris-Ellis-HAB-research-station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EqibCP6F2hI/WR9cvT61imI/AAAAAAAABXE/VD-ojY2ks7QPXCYWIH81vlV4-EaywT9AQCLcB/s400/Chris-Ellis-HAB-research-station.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Ellis, St Anthony Falls Lab, works to bring the research station online after the anchors have been set in South Center Lake, MN</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Ann Wilkinson, University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory</span><br /><br />The harmful algal bloom (HAB) team from the University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls lab deployed our long-term HAB monitoring research station on South Center Lake, MN on Thursday, May 11, 2017, with help from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This monitoring effort, led by Miki Hondzo, is funded by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative‐Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).<br /><br /><div>The research station will be continuously monitoring lake and weather conditions from May through October 2017, from its anchored location on South Center Lake. The purpose of the research station is to understand environmental triggers for HAB in Minnesota lakes. To do that, we will be monitoring vertical and temporal variability of blue-green algae concentrations, as well as water chemistry and meteorological conditions at high frequency. The research station is uniquely equipped to collect full depth profiles of the lake (14m) every two hours and can run autonomously. The data collected from the research station can be accessed remotely so we can respond to bloom events in addition to long-term monitoring.<br /><br />We will also be on the lake on a weekly basis to collect water samples for phytoplankton composition, nutrients and toxin quantification. This research will help us predict, where, when and why HAB form and produce toxins to help protect wildlife, recreation and drinking water in and around Minnesota lakes. A similar study using our research station was conducted on <a href="http://www.safl.umn.edu/featured-project-assessing-increasing-harmful-algal-blooms-minnesota-lakes" target="_blank">Madison Lake last summer</a>.</div></div>JoAnne Makelahttps://plus.google.com/114450253960986066083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-4820636108177790292017-04-06T13:45:00.001-05:002017-07-26T08:58:20.279-05:00Aqua Chautauqua coming soon to a watershed near you!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Otter Tail River Watershed Aqua Chautauqua will be held in Fergus Falls on Saturday, August 12.</h3><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_-9k-nnVEY/WOaLOr7I4vI/AAAAAAAABSA/B-b5RPWYZOUfuN8q7iQqX-Ki42W9nezYwCLcB/s1600/river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_-9k-nnVEY/WOaLOr7I4vI/AAAAAAAABSA/B-b5RPWYZOUfuN8q7iQqX-Ki42W9nezYwCLcB/s200/river.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />We are drawn to water: running water in our creeks and rivers, and still water in our lakes and wetlands. We are mesmerized by it and, in Minnesota, our water says a lot about who we are: recreationally, culturally, economically. We want to protect it; keep it clean and safe and available for future generations. Water is a shared community resource. The better we understand it, the better we can advocate for its wise use and protection.<br /><br />Aqua Chautauqua is a family-oriented event that brings people together to learn and share about the water resources in our communities. Expert speakers and facilitators will present theater, art, hands-on demonstrations, and recreational activities all centered on our lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands, and what they mean to us.<br /><br />Chautauqua (sha-taw-kwa) was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America."<br /><br />Join us on Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 220 S Sherman St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.<br /><br />Check the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1874935936106245/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A3%2C%22source_newsfeed_story_type%22%3A%22regular%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22[%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22newsfeed%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22feed_story%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A[]%7D]%22%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D&amp;source=3&amp;source_newsfeed_story_type=regular&amp;action_history=[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22feed_story%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A[]%7D]&amp;has_source=1&amp;hc_ref=ARTbKucx5bS0_0n4K4jSzvVlaFfRNDbLM4Cg4uRsEx2Tfitv6-8LsuoHHliYI0B8Q3M" target="_blank">Facebook event page</a> for up-to-date information on this event.</div>JoAnne Makelahttps://plus.google.com/114450253960986066083noreply@blogger.com0Fergus Falls, MN 56537, USA46.2835212 -96.07778869999998546.1957247 -96.239150199999983 46.371317700000006 -95.916427199999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-83310275117273052052017-03-20T16:32:00.000-05:002017-03-20T16:35:52.115-05:00Registration for Aquatic Invasive Species Detectors program now open<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Seven statewide training &nbsp;sessions to be offered in 2017</h3><br /><a href="https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/ais-detector" target="_blank">Registration is now open</a> for AIS Detectors, a new volunteer network and science-based training program launched by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Detectors will learn how to identify 11 aquatic invasive species that are threatening Minnesota, as well as their common lookalike species and report new findings of aquatic invasive species such as starry stonewort, zebra mussels and round goby.<br /><br />After training, AIS Detectors will serve a critical role by helping the DNR respond to reports of possible AIS, weeding out false positives, being on the lookout for new infestations, and providing outreach to their communities.<br /><br />The program is ideal for motivated adults over the age of 18, including AIS managers and inspectors, lake association members, Master Naturalists, and anyone else who has a desire to learn more about AIS.<br /><br />Participants take a self-paced online course and attend one in-person workshop. Choose a workshop date and location when you register.<br /><br />The <b>course fee is $175</b> and includes unlimited access to the online course, a printed training manual, the full-day in-person workshop (including refreshments and lunch), an AIS identification field guide, and networking opportunities with other AIS Detectors and experts.<br /><br /><div><h4>Upcoming training sessions: &nbsp;</h4><br /><ul><li>Andover, April 21</li><li>Mankato, April 28</li><li>Detroit Lakes, May 4</li><li>Alexandria, May 5</li><li>Grand Rapids, June 2</li><li>Bemidji, June 9</li><li>Brainerd, June 16</li></ul></div><br /><a href="https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1963474" target="_blank">Learn more and register</a></div>JoAnne Makelahttps://plus.google.com/114450253960986066083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-58504644566364723802017-01-09T17:19:00.000-06:002017-01-09T17:19:39.177-06:00Understanding and predicting harmful algal blooms in Minnesota lakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Thank you for visiting the Blue-green algae in Minnesota lakes webpage and for reading our blog. We are happy that you are here! <a href="http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/water/conservation/algae/index.html">The Blue-green Algae webpage </a> is a hub for algae research and outreach.<br /><br />Recent funding by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and the University of Minnesota has propelled a new round of research focused on understanding and predicting blue-green algae. By sharing information, insight, and lessons learned, we can assist Minnesota state agencies, scientists and all citizens to create a better picture of potential Harmful Algal Blooms in Minnesota.<br /><br />Our goals for this webpage and blog are to:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Explore and learn about algae and freshwater HABs</li><li>Convey specific and helpful information among researchers, local and state agencies, and the public, so all can learn something new about algae and increase understanding of algae -- particularly freshwater HABs</li><li>Promote and inform the public of the current algae research by providing a space for our researchers to share about what they do, who they are, who do they work for, and how we all may benefit from their work</li><li>Make research findings more accessible and provide opportunities for researchers and citizens to get involved in algae research and outreach</li><li>Provide support and nurturing for our ongoing algae focused programs</li></ul><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What is coming next in our Blog?</span></h4><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>Research Updates by HAB researchers. We will follow up with state and regional agencies and stakeholders and learn about their work with HAB and we'll share a lot of photos.<br /><br />If you have any questions, comments, or would like to contribute to this blog, leave a comment on this post or contact Shahram Missaghi, University of Minnesota Extension, at 952-221-1333 or <a href="mailto:miss0035@umn.edu">miss0035@umn.edu</a>.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Shahram Missaghihttps://plus.google.com/106646247813372070677noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482810670166504136.post-20440780501378450212016-11-03T10:39:00.000-05:002016-11-07T10:30:30.488-06:00Surface Water Sampling Workshop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4 style="text-align: left;">Applied Lake Management and Stormwater Series</h4><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Making the connection from rain, stormwater, streams and wetlands to lakes</h3><div><br /></div>December 8, 2016 | 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.<br />With pre- and post-class webinars on December 2, 2016 and January 6, 2017<br />Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center<br />4100 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024<br /><br /><a href="http://z.umn.edu/surfacewatersampling" target="_blank">Registration</a>: $85; By November 22, 2016<br />Class limited to first 50 people<br /><div><br /></div>Registration fee includes refreshments, workshop materials, and associated webinars. Plus, we will have a showcase of some water quality sampling equipment.<br /><br />Questions? Please contact: <a href="mailto:miss0035@umn.edu" target="_blank">Shahram Missaghi</a><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Who should attend?</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>natural resource managers</li><li>technicians</li><li>lake managers</li><li>homeowner associations</li><li>early career practitioners</li></ul><div>Are you a natural resources professional curious on where, when and how many water quality samples you will need for your monitoring programs? Has it been awhile since your last hands on training? Do you want to learn how to create a water quality sampling regime that helps you achieve your management goals? Then the Surface Water Sampling Workshop is for you!</div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">What will workshop participants learn?</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The essential components of water quality sampling regime and how to frame it to meet management goals</li><li>Water quality fundamentals in stormwater, streams, wetlands and lakes and their associated sampling terms, types and methods</li></ul><br />Through presentations, case studies, and exercises, learners will be supported by pre- and post-class webinars, introduction to additional resources and demonstration of a series of water quality sampling equipment.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Workshop instructors:</h4>Steve McComas, Blue Water Science; Brian Johnson, Metropolitan Council; Lindsey Albright, Dakota County SWCD; and Shahram Missaghi, University of Minnesota Extension</div>JoAnne Makelahttps://plus.google.com/114450253960986066083noreply@blogger.com04100 220th St W, Farmington, MN 55024, USA44.630142 -93.14834919.1081075 -134.456943 70.1521765 -51.839755